Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14783, Jonathan Gerrey, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Gerrey, Jonathan Gerry or Gerry Gerry or Gerry
W 14783
CONTENTS
Hepsibah

1964
Massachusetts.
Jonathan Gerry (or Gearing) Sergeant, Massachusetts line, 1777-1780
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th of July, 1818, and sent to the care of Edward Bangs, Esq; Westminster, M tt .
Arrears to 4th of Sept r . 1818. $: 37. 60 Semi-annual interest
4 months, \frac{21}{30} : $: 37. 60
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued Sterling, Worcester Co.
Notification mk. Nov 3 rd 1820 to Elizabeth Gearing of Newton Mass.

4119
Massachusetts
Reported
Hepsibah Geary widow of Nathan Geary Maj who was a Sergeant in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 121 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Dec. 1843 and sent to Thos. Balfinch, Boston, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 43.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County ss.
On this twenty eighth  twenty second day of August, 1838. personally appeared before Solomon Strong one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the same being a Court of Record Hepsibah Geary a resident of Sterling  Leominster in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Jonathan Geary who was a private soldier, who served seven or eight years in the Revolutionary War, as he informed me. She further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Geary at said Leominster on the sixteenth day of May Seventeen hundred and eighty- five.

by the Reverend Francis Gardner who was then the settled and ordained minister of said Town of Leominster. My name before I was married was Hepsibah Brazbrook  Putnam . That her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Geary died on the twentieth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty one , at said Sterling, and she has remained his widow ever since, never having since been married. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January nineteen hundred and ninety four viz. to wit the time above stated. She further declares that her said husband Jonathan Geary was on the pension list, as a private soldier. I have not the certificate of his pension. When I drew the arrears of my husband's pension after his death the Certificate was sent to Boston. I have no documentary evidence nor can I procure any other evidence to prove his service than what is already in the War: office
Witness Deborah Strong.
Hepsibah Geary her mark Geary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.
On this twenty second day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before me Solomon Strong one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the same being a court of Record, Hepsibah Geary within named and subscribed the within declaration by making her mark in my presence, and I attested the same. She also made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me. The said Hepsibah Geary, by reason of age and bodily infirmity is not able to attend court. I therefore took her examination at my dwelling house in Westminster in said County of Worcester.
Solomon Strong, Judge, C. C. Pleas.

I hereby certify, that in the Record of deaths in my parish, I find the following entry: "1831. Jany. 30. Died Jonathan Gerry, Est. 80."
A true copy of the original Record, Attest, Peter Osgood, Pastor of the first Congregational Church in Sterling, Wor. Co. Mass.
Sterling Aug. 22. 1838.
Massachusetts State Worcester County } Jr August 22 d 1838 Town of Sterling } Sworn to before me
Moses Thomas Justice of peace

I certify, that Book No. 2. page 228. of the Records of the town of Leominster in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, contains the original Record of the marriages solemnized by Rev. Francis Gardner, minister of the Gospel in said town in the year 1785. and that among said marriages, re- corded in the Book and Page aforesaid, is the following, viz. "Jonathan Geary of Sterling to Rebekah Bray- brook of Leominster, May the Sixteenth, Seventeen hundred and eighty five;" and I further certify that the foregoing extract is a true copy of the aforesaid Record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair, legible figures, as follows, "May ye 16 - 1785."
I, Luke Lincoln Clerk of the town of Leominster I, Luke Lincoln above named, depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town, county and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Luke Lincoln Clerk of the town of Leominster Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Worcester County ss. August 10. 1838 Personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said County of Worcester, Luke Lincoln above named, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate, declaration and deposition by him subscribed: and I certify, that said Luke Lincoln is a credible person. Wm. Perry. Justice of Peace

I Bessie Geary of Sterling in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty one years daughter of Jonathan Geary of late of said Sterling who was on the previous list testify and say that my father the said Jonathan Geary died at said Sterling on the thirtieth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty one. I was present at his death. I also testify that my mother Deborah Geary has remained a widow ever since never having been married since. Bessie Geary.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Worcester County ss.
On this twenty second day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared Bessie Geary above named and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed before me Solomon Strong, Judge C.C. Pleas.
I certify that Bessie Geary above named the subscriber of the above affidavit is a credible person Solomon Strong, Judge C.C. Pleas.

1002 Stephen Peary
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Worcester, do certify, that the Hon. Solomon Strong is a Judge of said Court - and that Moses Thomas and William Perry, Esquires, are Justices of the Peace in and for said County - and that the signatures of said Strong, Thomas, and Perry to the several certificates hereto annexed, and by them respec- tively subscribed, are in their proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Worcester, the fifth day of September, 1838.
Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk Solomon Strong $120 ad val
30. 1131. Print
March 16
Solomon Strong Deputy Pres.

State of Massachusetts, County of Worcester I Jonathan Geary a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Sturbridge in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on or about the first day of April in the year 1777.
I entered and was engaged in the land — service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the close of the war
as a private & sergeant, against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to Capt. Adam Wheeler Company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel John Nixon on the Massachusetts line a part of the time, and Col. Thos. Nixon, the remainder of the time and that I left the service on the eighth day of June 1783. at New Windsor N.Y. and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of Sixty Seven years of age. On the first of February 1778, I rec d . from Col. Nixon a sergeant's warrant, and served as such to the end of the war — I received an honorable discharge, which is now lost.
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
Jonathan Geary
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 12 th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, David Bangs Judge of the U. S. District Court for the Western District in the State of Massachusetts County of Worcester the abovenamed Jonathan Geary and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
& have affixed the seal of the Court
David Bangs

I Enoch Roper of Sterling aforsaid, do testify and say that I served in the army at the same time with the within named Geary. a part of the time, and I have no doubt the facts within stated are substantially true.
Enoch Roper
Worcester p. April 14. 1818
Sworn to before me.
Isaac Goodwin, Jus. of peace.
John A. Geary.
Edward Bangs, Esq; Judge Westminster, Worcester County, Massachussetts. Jonathan Gerry (or Geary) Sergeant, Massachussetts line, Revolutionary claim. found on the rolls. Correct.

Gerry or Jonathan Geary.
at 1964 Sterling
July 18
LM
before the said Court. known to and declared on the
J. ARTHUR BICKTOWN, Clerk of the Circuit Court of

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this eleventh day of July 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, Jonathan Gearing aged seventy years, resident in Sterling in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: As a Sargeant in Capt Adam Wheeler's Company, in Col Thomas Micon's Regt. in the Mass. Line. Enlisted in the spring of the year 1777 to serve during the war, and served until the peace and was discharged at the disbanding of the Army at Newburgh in 1783. My former application for a pension was dated April 14. 1818 - as appears by certificate dated July 28 th 1820 - No 1964: -
and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
* 1818
Jonathan Gearing
Sworn to and declared, on the eleventh day of July, 1820 before the said Court.
Attest,
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is Thirty dollars and that said cents. Gearing has an annual income during the life of his wife of four dollars
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this eleventh day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Schedule
of the Estate of Jonathan Geary of Sterling in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of May 1820.
1 Box - 2 shup - 2 Tables - 1 Chest - 6 Chairs - 1 pot - 1 Brass Kettle - 1 tea kettle
Crockery, Earthen Wooden Ware -
Also a right of real Estate in right of my wife for which I receive 4 dollars annually $30.
This applicant is a Farmer & works some, but is too old to do much - My wife named Mephibeth aged 62 years is an infirm old lady, and does but little for our support. I have no children residing in my family
Jonathan Geary

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Gerrey or Leary , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. W. F. 14783,
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1, 1777 to Feb. 6, 1778 Pri. Adam Wheeler John Nixon   Feb. 6, 1778 to end of war Sergt. Adam Wheeler Thos. Nixon Mass.      
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated ,
Date of application for pension, Apr. 14, 1818. His cl. was al,
Residence at date of application, Sterling, Worcester Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, 68 yrs.
Remarks: Soldier mar. at Westminster, Worcester Co., Mass., May 16, 1785, Hepsibah Braybrook. He died Jan. 30, 1821 at Sterling, Mass. and she was allowed pension on her appl. ex. Aug. 22, 1838, while 80 yrs. old and a resident of Sterling, Mass.
A son, Ezra, was 51 yrs. old in 1838.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

ey man.
Ray
WIDOW, &c.
own
May 1999
Miss Lucie Astor Cambridge
File No. 14783
1913, Aug. 7. History to John G. Burckhardt, Jr.
Keziah Gearg Widow of Jonathan Gearg Sergt Rev War
Act: March 3 rd 48
Index:—Vol. a , Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jonathan Ferris or Gerry, N. F. 14,783. Mass.

To Sergeant Jonathan Geary of the Fifth Massachu- setts Battalion in the service of the United States of AMERICA
Greeting:
Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Prudence and good conduct, I do, by these Presents appoint you fourth Sergeant to my company in the said 5 th Battalion now in the Service of the United States; -- you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a fourth Sergeant by doing, and performing all Manner of Things therein belonging: And I do strictly charge and require all Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers under your Com- mand, to be obedient to your Orders as fourth Sergeant; And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from me, or any of your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my hand at Farmington this 6 day of February 1778
Thos. Nixon
} Colonel of the 5 th Mass. Batt.
Geary, Jonathan Mass W14783

2133
2
Massachusetts
Hepsibah Geary
widow of Jonathan Geary dec?
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 30 January 1831
of Worcester in the State of Mass.
who was a Sergeant in the Comp y commanded
by Captain Wheeler of the Reg t commanded
by Col. Nixon in the Mass
line for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass.
at the rate of 120 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Mar.
1839 and sent Col. d Simon G. Seaminster
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1839 $360.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " 60.00
$420.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 1 st Page 90

4166
H. Geary
$120 per an
Thos? Bulspich Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County } ss.
Be it known That on this ninth day of October A.D. 1843. personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for said County and Commonwealth, Ebenezer Smith Guardian of Hepzibah Geary, a resident of Princeton in the said County of Worcester, aged 45 years, who, being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3. day of March 1823. granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; -
That she is the Widow of Jonathan Geary who was a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War and served as I nearly believe as stated by the widow in her original declaration for a pension under the law of the 7 th July 1838. to which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department I would refer for a more particular statement of his services for the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her husband's death.
The said Smith further declares that the said Hepzibah Geary was a pensioner under said act at the rate of one Hundred & Twenty Dollars per annum which amt. she drew from 2 nd March 1836. to the 4 th March 1841. at the Agency in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the time of her receiving her last payment the Pension certificate granted to her under said act was given up in conformity with the rules of the Department.
And the declarant further alleges that the said Hepzibah has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband Jonathan Geary dec d . but has ever since remained a widow, as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed. - And

further say not.
Ebenezer Smith
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first within written and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the Guardian of said Hepzibah Geary who is also known to me to be the person within described
Before me
Chas. Russell, Justice Peace
I Wilks Gery of Princeton in the county of Worcester of lawful age on oath testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Hepzibah Geary of whom Ebenezer Smith is Guardian and the person named in the within declaration for many years last past. I know that she was the wife and is now the widow of Jonathan Geary dec d who was reported to have been a sergeant in the Revolutionary War and that she was a pensioner under the law of 7 th July 1838, as stated by her Guardian.
Wilks Gery
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County } ss October 9 th 1843.
Then came Wilks Gery who is known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is strictly true,
Before me
Chas. Russell, Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston October 13 th 1813
§ hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation Charles Russell was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Dole Secretary of the Commonwealth

G
QWTH 29
Dear Sir
Mr. Jonathan Gurney (or Gears) was a revolutionary soldier who came from Binsted Mass. and afterwards had a pension. he was born in 1751.
I am trying to find out his father's name can you tell me what it is. I thought perhaps when he enlisted his

father's name might have been given with his.
or if you have the records of Princeton or Rutland you might find it Princeton used to be a part of Rutland.
Yours Truly
Susie A. Hovey
67 Pleasant St
Cambridgept
Mass.

JOHN G. BURCHARDT 6 WALL STREET PHONE MAIN 2122
ATLANTA, GA., AUGUST 1st, 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the record of service in the Revolutionary war and any family records contained in the papers of Sergeant Johnathan Gentry of Worcester County, Massachusetts, my ancestor.
J. G. Burchardt
Address
No. 682 West Peachtree St.,
Atlanta, Ga.

JOHN G. BURCKHARDT 6 WALL STREET PHONE MAIN 3232
ATLANTA, GA., August 1st, 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send me the record of service in the Revolutionary war and any family records contained in the papers of Sergeant Johnathan Geary of Worcester County, Massachusetts, my ancestor.
Very truly yours,
A handwritten signature in cursive script, reading "John G. Burckhardt Jr.". The signature is written in dark ink and is positioned to the right of the closing "Very truly yours,".
Address
No. 682 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, Ga.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. L. W. B. W. 14783.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
May 19th, 1899.
Madam:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that Jonathan Geary made an application for pension on April 14, 1818, at which time he was 67 years of age and residing at Sterling, Mass., and his pension was allowed for three years' actual service as a sergeant in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. Place of his enlistment not stated. He served under Capt. Wheeler and Col. Nixon. His father's name is not mentioned in the papers on file in the pension claim.
His widow, Hepsibah, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Miss Susie A. Hovey,
67 Pleasant Street,
Cambridgeport, Mass.